v1 - Israel is a corporate matter of God's people. Pure in heart is an individual matter to God. "Truly good" means that it may not seem to be good at the time, but truly it was good (Rom 8:28-32).

v2 I wasn't going anywhere and almost was falling. This may be backsliding, going backward, or it could be just not advancing. (Heb 6:11-12; 12:12-15). This state is not as bad as being cold or lukewarm (Rev 3:15-16).

v3 - This is how it began. I became darkened in my thoughts. I started to envy those that were rich, that seemed to be having a good time (Ps 37:1-2).

v6 - "Therefore has pride encircled them" means that because of their seeming freedom from troubles, they were captivated by pride. This is why the Lord cannot allow his people to be free from troubles (2 Cor 12:6-10).

I believe that the 2nd 1/2 of v6 literally says, "A thorny covering of violence is to them." As thorns are a fallen form of self-defense, the meaning is that if anyone tries to reprove them, they violently attack him rather than accept the rebuke. This is due to pride.

This 2nd 1/2 of v6 is usually translated "A garment of violence covers them." I do not agree that Hebrew the word "sheeth" means garment. With different vowels it commonly means thorns (i.e. Isa 5:6; 7:23-25, etc.). The only other place where the word is translated "garment" is Prov. 7:10 "And behold, there met him a woman in the garment of a harlot, and subtle of heart." I believe this would be more literally translated, "And behold a woman to meet him, a thorny harlot, and subtle of heart." "Thorny" may mean that she speaks verbal barbs or is impudent. Neither LXX, nor the Aramaic translated the word here in Ps 73:6 as "garment", however the Aramaic translated the same word in Prov 7:10 as "garment". I think the word "garment" is just a guess, used because it sounds like other verses.

v9 - Their speaking dominates the popular culture or the popular religious culture.

v10 - Lit. "Therefore His people return here and waters of fullness are wrung out to them."

I think the meaning of this verse is that when the Lord's people start to return to Him, these high-speaking ones wring all the money out of them and keep it for themselves. This indicates that these high speakers are religious leaders. Because their speaking seems high and prevails through all the land (v9),when God's people return, they naturally come to these leaders for guidance, and they get wrung out.

The words of this verse are similar to Judges 6:38 where the words for "water", "full" and "wrung out" are also used. However I don't see any connection.

v11 - They don't deny that God exists, but deny that He is concerned with minor human affairs. They say this in their heart to suppress the speaking of their conscience when they fleece God's returning people in v10.

v12 - Lit. 'Behold, these are the wicked, and they prosper in the world. They heap up riches.'

This is a concluding statement about them.

v13 - I think the world at this time was in an economic boom. Everyone seemed to be enjoying a party except for Asaph and those few like him who followed the Lord with a pure heart.

If the reward of a godly life is prosperity in this world, then surely we have cleansed our thoughts and doings in vain (1 Cor 15:19).

v16 - Up to this point, this Psalm is hard and heavy. Starting from the next verse the Psalm becomes lighter and enjoyable.

It is good to ask these hard questions of God. Ask Him about His judgments that do not seem right, or about why things do not seem to be going according as His word has said. We should have it settled in our heart that God's word is true, and God is righteous. When we see things that seem to contradict either of these, we should not just cover them over, but formulate the question specifically and rationally and ask it to the Lord (Ps 5:3).

v17 - We can think about something a lot by ourselves and become mentally exhausted and deceive ourselves (Luke 11:33-36). Part of the reason Asaph could not see was because there was in him some envy of the rich (v3; Matt 6:21-24).

But in the church we see. I find that during church meetings, the Lord often answers my questions that seem hard to me, often while a brother is speaking on an unrelated subject, or when we discuss them in a small group meeting or afterwards. It becomes simple. I feel like a beast (v22), totally unspiritual, for so misunderstanding it before (Eph 3:18).

v21 - It is wonderful to have our conscience pricked in the church meetings. If we are not meeting regularly with other Christians we will miss much of this convicting light. (Heb 3:12-13; 10:24-25; 1 Cor 14:23-26)

v22 - To consider material prosperity as the sign of blessing from the Lord is to be a beast with the Lord, to have no understanding. But it is good to be with the Lord, even when we are a beast. A "beast" here does not mean an evil or violent person like a lion, but a person incapable of understanding God's ways, like a cow (Ps 32:9).

v23 - I have something far, far better than riches in the world or a life without troubles. I have the Lord's presence. Even when I was foolish like a beast, the Lord was always with me. Though He allows me to fall, He is always holding my right hand (Ps 37:23-24).

"God is ... my portion forever. - In spite of all the follies and sins of the past and present we may have God's constant presence; and in Him we can have all and more than all that the Godless find in their wealth. God in heaven; God in the pathway of daily life; God in the heart - this is blessedness" - F.B. Meyer, Choice Notes on the Psalms

v27 - To love money is to go a whoring from God. This is so serious. We must guard our heart.

v28 - The conclusion is that it is best for me to draw near to God, trust Him and declare His works.

"in the gates of Zion" comes from LXX. The verse is not preserved in DSS.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers; 30 And those whom He predestinated, these He also called; and those whom He called, these He also justified; and those whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 Indeed, He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Heb 6:11 But we desire earnestly that each of you show the same diligence unto the full assurance of our hope until the end, 12 That you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and long-suffering are inheriting the promises.

12:12 Therefore set straight the hands which hang down and the paralyzed knees, 13 And make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather may be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all men and sanctification, without which no one will see the Lord; 15 Looking carefully lest anyone fall away from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and through this many be defiled;

Rev 3:14 And to the messenger of the church in Laodicea write: These things says the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am about to spew you out of My mouth.

Ps 37:1 Do not be incensed

because of evildoers.

Neither envy

unrighteous workers.

2 For like the grass,

they will soon be cut down,

and like the herb,

they will wither away.

2 Cor 12:6 For if I desire to boast, I will not be foolish, for I will speak the truth; but I refrain lest anyone account of me something above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And because of the transcendence of the revelations, in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up. 8 Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather boast in my weaknesses that the power of Christ might tabernacle over me. 10 Therefore I am well pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses, on behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am powerful.

Isa 5:6 and I will make it a waste-it shall not be pruned nor cultivated, but there shall come up briars and thorns; and I will command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

7:23 And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silver pieces, shall become briars and thorns:

24 with arrows and with the bow shall they come thither, for the whole land shall become briars and thorns.

25 And all mountains that have been dug up with the hoe-thither will they not come, from fear of briars and thorns; and they shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of small cattle.

Rev 3:17 Because you say, I am wealthy and have become rich and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire that you may be rich, and white garments that you may be clothed and that the shame of your nakedness may not be manifested, and eyesalve to anoint your eyes that you may see.

Rom 11:8 As it is written, 'God gave them a spirit of deep sleep, eyes to see not and ears to hear not, until this very day.'' 9 And David says, `` Let their table become a snare and a trap and a stumbling block and a retribution to them; 10 Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see; and bend their back continually.''

Ps 69:22Let their table become a snare before them, and their very welfare a trap;

23 Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not, and make their loins continually to shake.

Judges 6:34 And the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Gideon, and he blew the trumpet, and the Abi-ezrites were gathered after him.

35 And he sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and they also were gathered after him; and he sent messengers to Asher, and to Zebulun, and to Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

36 And Gideon said to God, If thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said,

37 behold, I put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor; if dew shall be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the ground, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said.

38 And it was so. And when he rose up early on the morrow, he pressed the fleece together, and wrung dew out of the fleece, a bowl-full of water.

39 And Gideon said to God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once! Let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it, I pray thee, be dry upon the fleece only, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

40 And God did so that night, and it was dry upon the fleece only, but on all the ground there was dew.

1 Cor 15:19 If it is only that we have hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most miserable.

Rom 8:36 As it is written, "For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we have been accounted as sheep for slaughter.'' 37 But in all these things we more than conquer through Him who loved us.

Ps 44:17 All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely against thy covenant:

25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly cleaveth unto the earth.

26 Rise up for our help, and redeem us for thy loving-kindness' sake.

Ps 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order {my}{prayer} to You and {eagerly} watch.

Luke 11:33 No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it in the cellar or under the bushel, but on the lampstand, in order that those who enter in may see the light.

34 The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eye is single, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is dark.

35 Watch out therefore that the light which is in you is not darkness.

36 If therefore your whole body is full of light and does not have any dark part, the whole will be full of light as when the lamp with its rays illuminates you.

Matt 6:21 For where your treasure is , there will your heart be also. 22 The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is single, your whole body will be full of light ; 23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be dark. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Eph 3:16 That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit into the inner man, 17 That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be full of strength to apprehend with all the saints what the breadth and length and height and depth are 19 And to know the knowledge-surpassing love of Christ, that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God. 20 But to Him who is able to do superabundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power which operates in us, 21 To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all the generations forever and ever. Amen.

1 Thes 5:2 For you yourselves know perfectly well that like a thief in the night, so the day of the Lord comes. 3 When they say, Peace and security, then sudden destruction comes upon them, just as birth pangs to a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness that the day should overtake you like a thief;

Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord has risen out of Judah, concerning which tribe Moses spoke nothing about priests. 15 And it is still more abundantly evident since it is according to the likeness of Melchisedec that a different Priest arises,

Job 17:8 Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall rouse himself against the hypocrite.

Zech 11:4 Thus says the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter; 5 whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty: and they that sell them say, Blessed be the LORD; for I am rich: and their own shepherds pity them not. ....

8And I caused the three shepherds to perish in one month; and My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred Me. (see note on Zech 11 page)

Matt 23:27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you resemble white-washed graves, which outwardly appear beautiful but inwardly are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Mark 12:14 And they came and said to Him, Teacher, we know that You are true and do not fear anyone, for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Should we give, or should we not give? 15 But He, knowing their hypocrisy , said to them, Why do you tempt Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may look at it.

Luke 12:12:1 Meanwhile, when the myriads of the crowd were gathered together so that they trampled on one another, He began to say to His disciples first, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy . 2 But there is nothing covered up which will not be revealed, and hidden which will not be known.

Heb 3:12 Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief in falling away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called "today,'' lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partners of Christ, if indeed we hold fast the beginning of the assurance firm to the end, 15 While it is said, "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the provocation.''

10:24 And let us consider one another so as to incite one another to love and good works, 25 Not abandoning our own assembling together, as the custom with some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more as you see the day drawing near.

1 Cor 14:23 If therefore the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak in tongues, and some unlearned in tongues or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane? 24 But if all prophesy and some unbeliever or unlearned person enters, he is convicted by all, he is examined by all; 25 The secrets of his heart become manifest; and so falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that indeed God is among you. 26 What then, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

Ps 37:23 The steps of a mighty man

are ordered from the Lord,

and He delights in his way.

24. Though he fall,

he shall not utterly be cast down

for the LORD upholds him by His hand.

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name is called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.

Ps 25:8 Good and upright is the Lord.

Therefore He will teach sinners in the way.

9 The lowly will He guide in judgment.

The lowly will He teach His way.

10 All the paths of the Lord

are mercy and truth

unto such as keep

His covenant and testimonies.

11. For Thy name's sake,

O Lord,

also pardon my iniquity,

for it is great.

12 What man is he

that feareth the Lord?

Him He shall teach

in the way he should choose.

13 His soul shall dwell in good,

and his seed shall inherit the earth.

Ps 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee the way in which thou shalt go; I will counsel thee with mine eye upon thee.

9 Be ye not as a horse, as a mule, which have no understanding: whose trappings must be bit and bridle, for restraint, or they will not come unto thee.

10 Many sorrows hath the wicked; but he that confideth in Jehovah, loving-kindness shall encompass him.

Rom 2:6 Who will render to each according to his works: 7 To those who by endurance in good work seek glory and honor and incorruptibility, life eternal; 8 But to those who are selfishly contentious and disobedient to the truth and obey unrighteousness, wrath and fury. 9 Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man who commits evil, both of Jew first and of Greek; 10 But glory and honor and peace to everyone who works good, both to Jew first and to Greek. 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

5:1 Therefore having been justified out of faith, we have peace toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Through whom also we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and boast because of the hope of the glory of God.

8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed upon us. 19 For the anxious watching of the creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was made subject to vanity, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, 21 In hope that the creation itself will also be freed from the slavery of corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

9:4 Who are Israelites, whose are the sonship and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the law and the service and the promises;

22 And what if God, wishing to demonstrate His wrath and make His power known, endured with much long-suffering vessels of wrath fitted for destruction, 23 In order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He had before prepared unto glory , 24 Even us, whom He has also called, not only from among the Jews but also from among the Gentiles?

15:7 Therefore receive one another, as Christ also received you to the glory of God.

1 Cor 2:7 But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom which has been hidden, which God predestined before the ages for our glory , 8 Which none of the rulers of this age have known; for if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory ; 9 But as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not come up in man's heart; things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'' 10 But to us God has revealed them through the Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but one is of men, and another flesh is of cattle, and another is of birds, and another is of fish. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies; but the glory of the heavenly is one thing, and that of the earthly is another. 41 There is another glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory . 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory ; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 It is sown a soulish body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a soulish body, there is also a spiritual one.

2 Cor 3:17 And the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 But we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory , even as from the Lord Spirit.

4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart; but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary lightness of affliction works out for us, more and more surpassingly, an eternal weight of glory,

Eph 5:27 That He might present the church to Himself glorious , not having spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that she would be holy and without blemish.

Phil 3:21 Who will transfigure the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of His glory, according to His operation by which He is able even to subject all things to Himself.

Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ our life is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory . 5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and greediness, which is idolatry;

1 Thes 2:12 So that you might walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory .

1 Tim 3:15 But if I delay, I write that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and base of the truth. 16 And confessedly, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

2 Tim 2:9 In which I suffer evil unto bonds as a criminal; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the chosen ones, that they themselves also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory . 11 Faithful is the word: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 14 Remind them of these things, solemnly charging them before God not to have contentions of words, which is useful for nothing, to the ruin of those who hear. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman, cutting straight the word of the truth. 16 But avoid profane, vain babblings, for they will advance to more ungodliness,

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little inferior to the angels because of the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death on behalf of everything. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in leading many sons into glory , to make the Author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

1 Pet 1:7 So that the proving of your faith, much more precious than of gold which perishes though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 Whom having not seen, you love; into whom though not seeing Him at present, yet believing, you exult with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory , 9 Receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

5:1 Therefore the elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory to be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God among you, overseeing not under compulsion but willingly, according to God; not by seeking gain through base means but eagerly; 3 Nor as lording it over your allotments but by becoming patterns of the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd is manifested, you will receive the unfading crown of glory .

10 But the God of all grace, He who has called you into His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself perfect, establish, strengthen, and ground you.

Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in spirit onto a great and high mountain and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 Having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, as clear as crystal.